The Rarest and Most Valuable Gameboy Color Games

The original Game Boy is becoming a big target for collectors (especially of boxed and sealed games) and logically, the Game Boy Color goes hand-in-hand with it. The Game Boy Color has a number of interesting rarities due to how long Nintendo kept the platform going — even after the release of the Game Boy Advance.

Since this guide was originally published in 2008, we have seen quite an increase in values for boxed and sealed games. So I have updated and expanded this list (and separated it from the original Game Boy listings)

In stark contrast to the Cheapest Games series, this Rare & Valuable series will round up the rarest and most valuable games for a given console or handheld so you’ll know what to look for whether you are buying or selling. Below you will see two prices beside each title. The first is the average daily selling price, which is typically the going rate for the game by itself. The second price is the highest price in the past three months which is usually the price for the new/sealed game. The list is ordered by the balance of the two prices. Note that some of these games are not rare in the sense that there are not many available, but rare relative to demand, which makes the games expensive.

Treasured Game Boy Color Releases

Shantae: $120 – $660 Rarity =
This colorful platformer was released on the tail end of the Gameboy Color’s lifespan as the Gameboy Advance was well on its way to domniate the market. Luckly, Shantae looked so good that it could pass for an early GBA game. Because of the combination of a relatively low print run and demand for this cool little gem, the game’s value stays solid. Shantae may have seen a bit of of uptick in value due to the sequel release on the DSi Since oue last guide revision in 2008, Shantae increased about 500% from the $27 to $90 range.

Magical Chase – $100 – $400 Rarity =
This Cotton-esqe 2D shooter is best known for being a gem in the TurboGrafx 16′s library, but it also made a Japan-only appearance on the Gameboy as well. It’s actually a quite impressive and colorful port that makes it one of the best shmups on the portable.Check for Magical Chase on eBay

Space Station Silicon Valley: $45 – $500 Rarity =
This Gameboy rarity is the pocket-sized incarnation of the cult-classic N64 game from DMA Designs (now known as Rockstar North, creator of the Grand Theft Auto series). Much like Mr. Do, it hardly ever shows up on eBay. Sometimes, you may get lucky and score a bare cartridge for next to nothing, but if it attracts attention from more than one hardcore Gameboy collector, you can expect some high prices.Check for Space Station Silicon Valley on eBay

Pokemon Crystal: $29 – $435 Rarity =
The Pokemon Game Boy games were never rare, but the franchise is still heavily collected. As we mentioned in the Rare & Valauble Game Boy guide, the kids that grew up with this series are starting to become retro gaming collectors. Pokemon Crystal is actually an updated version of Pokemon Gold & Silver (see below) that served more as a good game to jump into if you missed Gold & Silver and not a critical installment to play if you we already up to speed on the franchise.Shop for Pokemon Crystal on eBayShop for Pokemon Crystal on Amazon.com

Metal Gear Solid: $25 – $228 Rarity = Even thought the Metal Gear series was an established 2D franchise and Metal Gear Solid was burning up sales charts on the Playstation, the production run of the Gameboy Color version was quite small. In fact, this portable version is one of the rarest of all the regular-issue Metal Gear games, right up there with some of the old-school classics.Shop for Metal Gear Solid on eBayShop for Metal Gear Solid on Amazon.com

Harvest Moon 3: $20 – $50 Rarity =
It seems like the Harvest Moon series is always popping up on our Rare and Valuble lists (see SNES and N64), but you can’t beat a combination of small print runs and a cult following for a series. I guess there are a lot of fans of cutesy farm simulations that have money burning a hole in their pocket. The third portable installment is the most popular and valuable, but you’ll also see the other two installments listed in the honorable mentions list below.Shop for Harvest Moon 3 on eBayShop for Harvest Moon 3 on Amazon.com

Gameboy Color Games With Sealed Premiums

Much like the NES games, there is quite a market for popular Gameboy games that are still in the factory plastic wrap. Here’s a sampling of the biggest prices of the last couple of months. I’ve linked to the actual auctions for the prices listed. In most cases, an bare cart of the same games go for a small amount of cash.

I’m looking to sell my complete copy (box & manual) of Resident Evil Gaiden, if anyone’s interested. It’s a European one. Complete copies for this sell for lower than its US counterpart, or so it seems.

The lowest price I’ve seen on ebay for a complete (but in much worst shape than mine) copy of this was 80€ with shipping. Mine’s in a better shape but I’d be willing to part with it at the same price tag.

Ive got a legend of zelda: links awakening cartridge and manual, but no box and a snes with everything that came with it. Its even got the yellow promotional super mario world sticker on the side. Would these be worth anything hefty iyo?

i have Pokemon crystal for game boy color and gold and i don have a box or anything my cousins gave them to me and they work, but if you might be interested in them you can contact me at : girnwaffles4ever@ Hotmail.com

I have a Game Boy Color bought in Dec. 1999 with Super Mario Bros. Game. Have the original box, instruction booklet, consumer information and precautions booklet, as well as the instruction booklet for the game( in color.)

I am having a hard time finding the right market to sale my sealed Donkey Kong Country for Gameboy Color. Any advice on where to sale this item? I posted it on craigslist, and have not received any hits.

I can’t believe I had Shantae… Got it at a pawnshop for next to nothing along with a bunch of other games. Tried it for a few minutes and thought it was fun… Months later I pawned it and all the games in el Paso for again… Next to nothing… Uggh if only I knew what I had. If you live in El Paso TX keep your eyes peeled for it. I no longer live there and I only pawned it a few months back…